Below you will find an email I sent to my department head regarding a scenario I encountered at work. I wrote the email partly out of exasperation at my ineptitude and frustration that this event was unforeseen and unprepared for. I have changed the names of those involved for a variety of reasons. I hope you enjoy.
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Tim,
With much excitement I received a visit from Customer Bob and his wife last night. After an entertaining round of "Where's Dueco" via the telephone, Bob arrived. Resplendent in his flannel shirt and blue jeans, Bob explained that he had spoken with parts sales earlier in the day and was informed that if he made the pilgrimage from home he would be able to match up and purchase a PTO Flange and a hydraulic pump from Dueco Inc. He was also led to believe that paying for the merchandise with cash would present no problem. Being the eager to please parts guy I am, I bounded off to match up pump and PTO flange. I succeeded in finding both parts much to Bob’s delight.
However, when it came time to process the monetary aspects of this transaction, it became woefully clear that I have no Idea how to calculate sales tax for someone from out of state. Proceedings were further hampered by the fact that I was completely unable to make change. My mind raced as I tried to find the $5.72 Earl needed to satisfy the mathematical arm of our encounter. I strode into the office and went to the first door I saw which was Co Worker A’s office. It was she who offered the suggestion of getting change from Co Worker B’s Slush Fund. I headed back to our patiently awaiting customer, change in hand. We completed our transaction and I wished him a safe and direct trip home with one of my business cards and some literature about Dueco Inc.
The funds ($1000 cash) and Hand written order for Bob is in your locked drawer with the Key for Upstairs. I’m sure you have found it already. Please be sure that B receives the $5.72 we owe her. Next week I would like to address the elements of this experience which I have yet to master like sales tax and change availability. I hope you have a grand weekend.
Sincerely,
Dueco Inc.
Chris Koterba
Parts Coordinator
Your source for
Telelect, Hi-Ranger & Stelco parts
Fun indeed! I have had many similar adventures in making change for my customers because apparently, it is only necessary to check the cash drawer once a month (even after repeated requests for this denomination or that). I usually find myself fishing in my own wallet for the correct change or hunting down other co-workers who are willing to part with their own lunch money until the boss man can make a trip to the bank and pay everyone out.
ReplyDeleteAs for the tax thing, it is my understanding that it is calculated locally to where the services were rendered or product purchased. If someone buys a product from our store and pays for it there, we charge Waukesha tax. If I do onsite labor, I am to charge the sales tax of the location the labor is performed. Therefore (and I may be mistaken) but if your customer came to your shop in Waukesha and paid for the parts there, you would charge Waukesha sales tax.
~Soulman~